Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Break Down The Most Toxic Things A Parent Can Say To A Child

People Break Down The Most Toxic Things A Parent Can Say To A Child
Image by Mote Oo Education from Pixabay

Do you hear yourself?

Parents really need to think before they speak. I'm not saying not to discipline or call out bad behavior from children but, what one may think of as positive critique may actually be detrimental action. Children, no matter what age, soak up all of our parents' language and thoughts. We can't help it. All we want to do is be loveable. But parents need to realize... everything in reaction matters.


Redditor u/Few_Reading_4822 wanted to hear what children should not have to hear by asking... What is the most toxic thing a parent can say to a child

I am lucky enough to not have had a toxic mother; my stepfathers, those are different stories. Sometimes I did deserve a punishment or three but actions cross lines fast. Malicious behavior is easy to dish out and too often not recognizable as toxic. Let's look for signs...

Useless

Angry Season 9 GIF by ShamelessGiphy

That i'm freaking useless and can't do crap because I couldn't open a jar of tomato sauce for my mom at 1am.

ianKenzo

Peace Out

"We're moving and you're not welcome."

This is what my dad said to me while blackout drunk, after he took my sister's pizza that I made, ate it in front of me, and then threw the pizza at me after I asked him why the hell he's like that and walked away. We were supposed to be moving to a new place the next couple weeks after this fight.

LiaLovesCookies

Don't Speak

In my experience, divorced parents that say stuff like :

"Don't talk about that to your [other parent]" "Tell your [other parent] this" "Your [other parent] is trying to manipulate you." "You see what [other parent] did ? I'm not saying you should hate them, but isn't bit messed up that they did that?"

It really screws with the kid's head. If you're ever going through a divorce and have children, please find a way to sort your crap with your former spouse without involving your children more than necessary.

Loa_Ex_Machina

Get Out

Oprah Winfrey Reaction GIFGiphy

"i kicked your mom out and I can kick you out as well."

Mandrake_m2

Oof. That is a lot of pain to process and digest. This is proof that everyone really shouldn't procreate. Being a parent is a responsibility you need to be able to handle.

Excuse me?

Excuse Me What GIF by One ChicagoGiphy

"So you're saying that I'm a bad parent" in response to any form of help-seeking of constructive criticism was the worst for me.

Derpchieftain

LIAR

My dad made my mom choose between me or him when I was 15. He was angry I wouldn't give him my email password so he could change it and block me from having any friends after I changed schools.

My mom without hesitation told me to leave. It was winter. I had no coat. I wandered around town then slept under the stairs of the building they lived in.

Eventually that night my father gave my mother permission to let me back in.

I told them about this trauma when I was 25. They both screamed at me & called me a "freaking liar" while I cried. I'll never forget the trauma of my mother telling her child to leave and choosing her husband. Over an email password.

cat_peets

"THIS ONE TIME AT BAND CAMP"

Constantly comparing you with your older siblings, and extremely different treatment. It makes you feel inferior to them and like no matter how much you try or do, it will never be enough.

mo95z

Omg, this hits the hardest with me, I'm so sorry. The "THIS ONE TIME AT BAND CAMP" makes me furious; parents bullying is so incredibly harmful and takes away a child's sense of security almost immediately. I can't imagine telling my child that after they are trying to share their life with me and are excited to do so. So sorry, I hope you have found your safe place.

SugarDraagon

OK

Sounds Good GIF by Leroy PattersonGiphy

Okay

Over and over again for years and years. Any accomplishment any trial passed any challenge won.

Just "okay".

Evergladeleaf

What have we learned? Not everyone is cut out to be a mom or dad. That may feel like a heard truth but it's necessary. Kids are trying to be the best they can be for you. So just proceed with compassion.

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

REDDIT

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Screenshots from @jacobcarbreslin's TikTok video
@jacobcarbreslin/TikTok

A 'Fake Egg' Prank Targeting Kids Is Trending On TikTok—But Not Everyone Thinks It's Funny

In a recent TikTok trend, people are presenting young children with "fake eggs" and crushing the egg in their hands to show that the eggs are fake.

In order for this trend to work, the person has to poke a hole into each end of the egg to drain it of its yolk and let the shell dry, so it becomes more brittle and easy to crush, making the prank more believable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @nicmarievee's TikTok video
@nicmarievee/TikTok

Guy Sparks Debate After Abandoning Girlfriend In Economy While He Booked Himself A First Class Seat On Flight

It's really hard to watch while someone is clearly not being treated well enough by their partner, and instead of accepting the reality check for what it is, they spend their time digging their heels in deeper and defending their partner's honor.

That was certainly true for TikToker Nicole Vawter, or @nicmarievee, anyway, when fellow TikTokers called her partner out on selfishly booking himself a first class seat while his long-time girlfriend sat back in economy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @kenziewrivers' TikTok video
@kenziewrivers/TikTok

Viral Video Of Elderly Couple's Emotional Reunion After Being Separated For Weeks Has Us Sobbing

True love is hard to find, but when you witness it, you know that it's real.

TikToker @kenziewrivers, who goes by Mackenzie, is fortunate enough to have real love modeled by her family, as her elderly grandparents are deeply in love and are not shy about showing it to others.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from Redditor Same-Definition7464's 'Nice Guys' post
u/Same-Definition7464/Reddit

Guy Sparks Modern Dating Debate With His Unhinged Texts To Woman Who Turned Him Down For Second Date

You know what they say: if a person has to point out how nice they are, they probably aren't really all that nice.

Actions tend to speak louder than words, with an affinity for niceness and kindness being among the best examples. When a person is truly nice and kind, it will come through in their daily attitude and actions without them having to say anything at all.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mehmet Oz; Donald Trump
Pod Force One; Allison Robbert/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Dr. Oz Just Tried To Claim That Trump Is 'Healthy As A Bull'—And The Mockery Was Brutal

Head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz, heaped praise upon MAGA Republican President Donald Trump on a recent episode of the New York Post's podcast Pod Force One.

People are calling the former talk show host's comments sycophantic and creepy. It's not the first time Oz has been called out for his creepiness.

Keep ReadingShow less